Primary Services

Pump Selection, Evaluation and Specifications:

The short-term and long-term consequences of proper pump selection and “getting the engineering right” are significant. At stake are on-time delivery of the machinery package, trouble-free installation and start-up, reliable pump operation and optimal energy usage.

Specified pumps often deserve special attention due to one or more of the following:

high level of input power or energy consumption

physical size or space limitations

hazardous or flammable liquids

high temperatures or pressures

special materials of construction

entrained gases or solids

consequences of failure

wide variations in operating conditions or changing operating conditions over time

variable speed operation

transient conditions

piping and intake conditions

low Net Positive Suction Head Available

new or modified designs

For example, the appropriate margin for NPSH Available above the NPSH Required is a system and pump interface that can affect operational stability of the process and pump reliability. On high suction energy applications, the intake conditions, local internal velocities, impeller flow incidence, fluid properties, material properties and other factors affect the severity of cavitation and component erosion life. An independent review of critical service pumping applications can help resolve such technical issues early on before unanticipated issues arise on test or in the field.

Design and Develop

Ekwestrel Corp vice president and principal engineer Randal Ferman has more than 38 years of experience in pump engineering, design and development. He previously held the position of Manager Research & Development at Flowserve Corp, and now works as an independent consultant for domestic and international industries, specializing in pumps and pumping systems. Ekwestrel Corp’s clients include Hyosung Corp, B&W (the Babcock & Wilcox Company), and ASAP (Appliance Standards Awareness Project).

Design and Development

The key ingredients of excellent product design are vision, experience, a good sense of spatial relationships and proportion, and sound engineering. The design process is one of conceptualization and synthesis based on an understanding of the:

functional requirements and conditions of service

governing physical principles

fluid and materials properties

manufacturing processes

economies of product manufacture and ownership

There is a purpose or rationale for every design feature and attribute. The boundaries, limitations and risks associated with new products are not neglected for expediency. Rather, these serve to evoke creative and deliberate efforts to broaden understanding and to pursue improvements in performance and reliability.

Product design and product development

Development and review of:

technical specifications

installation and alignment procedures

operation and maintenance procedures

Do you need a pump design and development consultant? Contact us now to discuss your project and the engineering services we can provide.

Field Services

When pumping machinery fails with little or no warning, there is often little or no time for engineering evaluation. The pump must be repaired immediately.

However, a particular pump’s downtime or maintenance history can indicate an underlying root cause has not been addressed. An experienced, expert engineering approach may be called for comprising:

a multi-disciplined understanding of pumping machinery and pumping systems

a high level of communication with the parties involved

an inquiring mindset that endeavors to change “unknowns” into “knowns” and a refusal to commit resources based on unsubstantiated information and opinion

a rational, methodical commitment to finding the root cause and a practical solution

Of paramount importance, the field engineer commits to resolving technical issues in a timely manner, cognizant of maintenance schedules and production demands.

Summary of field services offered:

engineering anddesign for pump repairs, revamps, and re-rates

troubleshoot pump problems

custom tailored pump training courses

inspect components, processes and unit assembly

witness shop tests and field performance tests

provide expert, independent field observations and audits

expert witness

Do you need a consultant for field services? Contact us now to discuss the engineering services we offer.